I had some time to kill today, so I just decided to go boron treat an old 2x2. The 2x2 is pretty bad - it's an old Cyclone Boyz 2x2, but the boron does really change it. I have another one of these that's merely lubed, and there is a huge difference. The boron treated 2x2 is much quieter and smoother, but the lubed one is faster.

I think the treatment would work better on a more expensive cube, and a different plastic.